PERRY IN FINAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22461, 3 July 1936, Page 11

PERRY IN FINAL

BRITISH TENNIS TITLE

TO MEET. VON CRAMM

AUSTIN AND BUDGE

By Telegraph—rress Association —Copyright LONDON, July 1

G. von Cramm (Germany) and F. J. Perry (England) will again be the finalists in the British lawn tennis, singles match at Wimbledon. Last year the British player retained the title he so easily took from J. <

Crawford in 1934, defeating the German challenger in straight sets. The results of the semi-final of the singles to-day are as follow:

G. von Cramm beat H. W. Austin (Britain), B—6, 6-2, 2-6, 6—3. F. J. Perry beat J. D. Budge (United States), 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. 6—4.

In the first of these matches Austin earlv handled von Cramm's service well and his lead of 5—3 was aided by unusual blunders by the German. The latter then tightened np his control, increased hs speed, and confidently took the set.

Von Cramm won the second set with even more in hand, for in spite of a patch of careless errors he seemed able to reapply the pressure whenever required. His vicious service, severe deep driving, and agile volleying appeared to take all the" heart out of Austin, whose stylish mildness was not enough. Von Cramm, in the third set, lost nearly all control of his forehand, Austin winning the set in 16 minutes, but his opponent's real form was seen again in the fourth. He led 3—l, and replied to a challenge by Austin with drives, 1 which he hit stingingly to the corners, coming in for winning volleys. Perry's Phenomenal Recoveries

The contest between Perry and Budge began at high speed. Perry thrived on Budge's driving. The American held his own in the baseline exchanges, but Perry's volleys and smashes when he reached the net were samples of : the champion's best. Perry was ahead 5—3 when he became over-confident, and over-driving lost him the set. Perry rushed to 4—l in the secojjjJ set. Budge's "heavy guns''' then found the range to an inch and he levelled the score to 4 —4. Perry, serving beautifully, held the critical ninth game and broke liis opponent's service for the set, which had been fought at cracking pace. ]n the third set both maintained speed., accuracy, length and remarkable consistency. There was little between them until Perry broke Budge's service for a 5 —3 lead, and won the set on his own service. Perry's all-round skill and phenomenal recoveries enabled him to resist the American's fierce driving attack.

Perry was ahead 2—o in the fourth set. Budge then took four games in a row, with a stream of blistering drives. Two lucky net-cords gave Perry the seventh game, and he levelled the score with his service. He then, took Budge s service in the ninth game, and went on to win the match with consummate skill.

Germans Retire From Doubles

It was a masterly performance by Perry against a player whose every match seems to bring him nearer the master class. Perry and von Cramm will meet in the final on Friday. Any other final would have been unjust, for they aie clearly the best players in the tournament. ■ ■

To-day's decisions in the men's doubles matches were: —Third round: Allison and Van Ryn beat von Cramm and Henkel, 4—6, 10 —8, 6—4, 3 —6, 4 —5, and love-40 (Germans retired). Quarter-final: Hughes and Tuckey beat Malfroy and Stedman, 6 —l, 6 —l, 3 —6, (3—o. " •

Holding three match points in the final set, left unplayed from overnight, the Germans retired from the doubles, presumably because von Cramm intended to save himself for the singles, and did not wish to retire after depriving the Americans of their chrince.

Herr Heinrich Kleinschroth, the German non-playing captain, explains that he advised von Cramm's retirement from the doubles, not only because of the singles final on Friday, but because he could not contest the doubles final as the German beam will leave for Zagreb on in readiness for the European zone final in the Davis Cup contest, against Yugoslavia on July 11, 12 and 13.

In the fourth round of the mixed doubles Malfroy and Mrs. Sperling beat Brugnon and Mile. Jedrzejowska, 6—3, 6—3.

TRIBUTE TO VON CRAMM

ENGLISH CRITIC'S PRAISE

ARDUOUS TWO MONTHS* PLAY

(Received July 2, 6.5 p.m.) v LONDON, July 1

Sir. Wallis Myers, writing in the Daily Telegraph, pays a tribute to von Cramm for his disciplined training and philosophic temperament which is unspoiled by ardour and resembles that of Anthony Wilding. Von Cramm participated in six weeks' intensive match-play without complaining, that he was tired, and within two months lie played in four Davis Cup matches, won the French title and reached the Wimbledon final. Even Tilden in his palmiest did not answer the call of tte court so zealously.

VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

BUDGE AND MAKO UNLIKELY (Received July 2, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 1 In reference to the invitation to Budge and Mako and two other Americans to visit Australia, Budge informed a representative of the Australian Associated Press that his acceptance was improbable. Mako also indicated that ho would be unlikely to make the trip.